What is a Tree Warden?
A tree warden is the person in charge of shade trees in towns and cities. The word “warden” was a common title for natural resource officials in the late 1800s. Being a warden signified a unique legal responsibility: to guard public resources against destructive forces that might include persons, insects, or diseases. Since 1899, Massachusetts General Law has mandated that all cities and towns in the Commonwealth have a tree warden. The tree warden mandate is still in effect today under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 1 and Section 106.
The Tree Warden is an elected in the Town of Bernardston. To learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a tree warden, please visit Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association.
The Tree Warden manages activities related to, but not limited to:
- Pruning of trees for safety and health
- Removal of trees that are dead or dying
- Identification of planting sites
- Planting new trees
Please contact the Tree Warden directly with ALL questions relating to whether a tree is on town land and/or whether it can or should be removed, etc.